Alectinib re-challenge in small cell lung cancer transformation after chemotherapy failure in a patient with ALK-positive lung cancer: A case report

• Published in: Respiratory medicine case reports Vol. 33; p. 101440
• Main Authors: Yamagata, Akira, Yokoyama, Toshihide, Fukuda, Yasushi, Ishida, Tadashi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alectinib; Anaplastic lymphoma kinase; Case Report; Non-small cell lung cancer; Small cell transformation; Alectinib; Small cell transformation; Anaplastic lymphoma kinase; Non-small cell lung cancer
• ISSN: 2213-0071; 2213-0071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101440

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) transformation is a rare resistance mechanism to anaplastic lymphoma kinase-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs), for which cytotoxic chemotherapy is often initiated. However, no case has been reported so far in which the SCLC component disappeared after chemotherapy and the tumor responded to ALK-TKI treatment again. A 41-year-old, never-smoker man was diagnosed with multiple metastatic lung adenocarcinoma harboring ALK gene rearrangements. After tumor re-growth was treated with alectinib, histological analysis of re-biopsy of the primary lesion showed combined small cell carcinoma, and cytotoxic chemotherapy was administered. After resistance to chemotherapy developed, the third biopsy of the primary lesion showed the original ALK gene rearrangements without the SCLC component. Alectinib was re-administered, and partial response was obtained. Biopsy for ALK-positive lung cancer that progressed after chemotherapy for SCLC transformation might be useful for decision-making regarding the therapeutic strategy.